Preps

Jackson steps down as Lakewood girls coach

Ed Jackson, the dean of Pinellas County girls basketball coaches, resigned from Lakewood.

He coached eight seasons with the Spartans and 25 overall.

"I've been doing this for quite awhile and needed to take a little time off," Jackson said. "I need time to reflect. I need to step back and see the forest from the trees, so to speak."

Jackson, 56, spent his first 17 years as Pinellas Park's coach, compiling a 289-130 record while winning five region titles and taking three teams to the state tournament.

In 1995, he resigned because he needed a change and was looking for an opportunity closer to his home in south St. Petersburg. He subsequently applied for the Lakewood job and took over for Larry West.

Jackson guided the Spartans into the postseason six times but his teams never advanced past the region semifinals.

Though Jackson has stepped down, he said he isn't ready to call it a career.

"I've resigned, but I haven't retired," Jackson said. "Once I get rejuvenated, I'll get right back into it."